Air Disc Brakes Have Their Advantages
onversion to air disc brakes (ADBs) is increasing because they provide some advantages over drum brakes, including shorter stopping distances. Plus, there is virtually no brake fade with ADBs, so torque stays more consistent through the entire stop, says Mr Zhang, CEO of Shandong Toget Brake System Co., Ltd.(www.brakesystem.cn), one of largest manufacturers of air disc brake caliper system.
Another advantage, he adds, is that “because the braking force of an ADB is simpler than a drum brake – squeezing a flat rotor, compared to the complexity of brake shoes against a drum, the possibility of brake pull on the steer axle is greatly reduced for better straight line stability. Other factors contribute to side-to-side brake pull, but brake geometry is no longer part of it.”
Moreover, ABDs can help shorten vehicle downtime because they are easier to maintain. Depending on such things as the friction level of the material, the truck’s vocation, driver habits, etc., Thompson notes disc pads can last twice as long as drum brakes.
Disc brakes, as with drum brakes, require proper preventive maintenance (PM) to get the most life and reliability.
“A good PM schedule and inspection procedure are critical to optimizing safety, brake life and cost,” Zhang of Toget Brake System says.
He offers this guidance:
- Calipers have wear indicators to give an idea of remaining pad life. The caliper moves to compensate for pad wear. Alignment marks, or a wear indicator pin, will give the approximate pad wear and remaining life. The maintenance manual for the caliper will describe the method used for indicating pad wear and how to read it.
- Caliper assemblies are non-serviceable and should be changed as a unit.
- Technicians need to be well trained when working on brakes.